I chickened out on the Pella Track

[Forest]

Spent a day at Little Desert getting used to a bit of sand driving. Went really well. Went for a cruise with the familiy, and thought, I'll have a look at wyperfeld. Why not? No significant planning - water etc. No other vehicle with us, and just me, SWMBO and the young kids, basic recovery kit, plus the MaxTrax! Had no idea what wyperfeld is like.

Had lunch at Rainbow, and entered from the Pigick bus route -Pigick Pella Rd. Cruised along, got to the gate into the park and the track got VERY sandy. Gate did not look like it had been opened in a while!!! Went straight heading to Chinamans Flat track. The dunes were reasonably steep (in my inexperienced opinion) and found that the fear of bogging was get me taking them at speed, 50 or so. If someone was doing the same thing coming the other way and we met at the top... hmmmm. So, after a couple of minutes of discomfort, figured, either going to get bogged, or have a problem. Decided I would turn around and head out. No mobile coverage sorted of convinced me.

SO, is the whole of wyperfeld like this, deep sand and reasonably steep hills (for sand)? Has anyone else entered from this gate? Did I just enter at a bad place? Or am I a chicken, and everyone else would just cruise along like it was an "easy" rated track?


Now be nice!

[MacMan]

Most of that loop you were bound to do - Chinaman's Well and Milmed Rock Tracks especially - is sandy, with repetitive dunes. But as long as you have sensible tyre pressures you will have no trouble. I did a tour through there with the then local copper and a heap of Subaru club members in Subies old and new. There was only one stretch where one of the Subies got stuck, but that was on one of the sandy flats out near Lake Albacutya. He ended up completely beached on his belly pan and I pulled him out gently.

The key with sand driving is knowing when you are not going to make it up something (because of line, gear or tyre pressure) and stopping before you get bogged. If you stop going upwards without digging yourself in, it is remarkably easy to reverse out through your own tracks and have another go. You can stop very quickly in sand as you may have found out, and as far as I know, head on prangs are not common in there.

It's an amazing part of the countryside up there. Well worth going back for another look, with another vehicle if you are worried. I've done a fair bit of that area on two wheels until I had a significant whoopsie in the sand. I have a good friend who lives up there and have used his place as a base.

Also, if in Rainbow, go have a look at the old homestead there. The local historical society have put in a heap of effort and can tell you much about the pioneering life.

[waynep]

We love Wyperfeld - we go there every couple of years around this time, when the wildflowers are at their best. A fascinating area but everything is very subtle - you need to look. The landscape and lighting are so much different to the High Country.

There is a very good book on Wyperfeld put out by Friends of Wyperfeld Society, that can be bought at the Ranger station.
Next time you go, visit the northern area of the Pine Plains and the giant sand dune called the Snowdrift. It can be accessed from the main Wonga Camping Area via sand tracks which are a bit deeper than the ones out to Chinaman's Well and Milmed Rock - quite good fun.

Another interesting drive if you like sand driving is the circuit af Albacutya Lake, which is a continuation of Pella Track . Keep your tyres well deflated and keep your momentum up - you won't have a problem, however it's good to always go with another vehicle. I always put a sand flag up in those areas to help with people seeing you over the dunes. One of those exhaust jacks is a handy thing to have in the sand too.

The historic house in Rainbow is called Yuranga. Did you like the underground room where they used to go to keep cool in summer ?

[x-box]

Or am I a chicken, and everyone else would just cruise along like it was an "easy" rated track?


Now be nice!

Mate, i don't think you were chicken. In my opinion, if you get uncomfortable and feel unsafe, get out! There is no need to get all stressed and worried on a trip, if there are mates around and "strength in numbers", different story, but on your own - i don't know...... personally i would have done the same and gone home without drama and damage, to come back another day with some mates to enjoy the place.
I'd rather be an alive chicken than a dead hero :p

[MacMan]

I sense a group trip in the making!

[BigJon]

I sense a group trip in the making!

Souns like a plan. Just so long as I can come along!

[Forest]

Thanks heaps for your thoughts guys. Will definitely return to Wyperfeld. However, next time, more prepared! and I will be more aware of what I am getting into and how to tackle it! :thumbsup:

[Blknight.aus]

this would be indicative of why you drive a landrover instead of a toymota or one of the other breeds....


you have sufficient IQ points to identify with a situation that might be out of your league and then go and get re-enforcements to tackle it as oppoesed to the mentality of...


bugger it plenty of right boot will see it right and If i screw up someone else will come and help me clean up my mistakes.

[Sleepy]

Love that part of VIctoria. Been visiting Wyerpfeld for last 30 odd years - Ahh the serenity! :D. Never done any 4wding there though - better buy myself a good map - sounds like fun!

Lots of "sleepys" up that way too - especially in Rainbow!